Krāslava can be explored through several distinct themes: Count Plater’s palace complex and the district museum tell the story of regional history and culture, while the churches offer their own architectural and religious highlights. Those who want to focus on the landscape can explore the Adamova Nature Trail. Regional products are also part of what the town has to offer.
Palace complex and regional history
Count Plater’s palace complex in Krāslava is an architectural monument of national importance. It hosts cultural events, exhibition openings, fairs and guided tours. The park features a metal carriage and sculptures of the count and countess. The complex thus brings together a significant building, a variety of cultural events and distinctive objects in the park.
The Krāslava District Museum has a collection of 27,000 objects. They illustrate the character and uniqueness of the Krāslava region from the earliest times to the present day. An exhibition about the coexistence and mutual cultural enrichment of different nationalities in Krāslava and the region is housed in an improvised 17-metre-long boat. This unusual exhibition format provides a distinctive feature alongside the extensive collection.
Other exhibition themes explore the architecture of historic wooden houses in the region and the craft heritage created by their artisans. The museum thus presents regional architectural styles and the skills of local craftspeople alongside the history of different nationalities living together.
Churches and architectural history
The Roman Catholic Church of St. Louis is an outstanding example of Baroque architecture in Latgale. It was built from 1755 to 1767. The church also contains an 18th-century fresco by Filippo Castaldi; restoration of the work was completed in 2015. The relics of the holy martyr Donatus attract many worshippers. Its architecture, artwork and religious significance give the site several distinct historical points of interest.
The Lutheran and Orthodox churches each offer a specific point of reference for planning a trip. Services at the Krāslava Lutheran Church take place on the first and third Sunday of each month. The present-day building of the Orthodox Church of St. Alexander Nevsky was consecrated in 2008, and services are still held there today. Visitors wishing to attend a service can take these different details into account.
Krāslava’s Theological Seminary is part of the town’s educational history: it was Latvia’s first higher education institution. This historical aspect complements the religious buildings with an institutional perspective.
Adamova Nature Trail and viewpoints
The marked Adamova Nature Trail is 1.7 kilometres long. It lies within the specially protected landscape area “Augšdaugava” and the “Daugavas loki” Nature Park; both the start and end of the trail are in Krāslava. The Adamova Gorge, a natural monument, is next to the trail. Its length, location and neighbouring gorge give the nature theme a clear focus.
There are two other named places from which to enjoy the landscape. A telescope at the summit of Karņicka Hill makes it easier to view the surrounding scenery. The viewpoint on Adamova Castle Hill is a place for walks and relaxation for residents of Krāslava and visitors. Each of these places offers a specific viewpoint on the landscape, without requiring any assumptions about the trail’s walking time or difficulty.
Regional products and workshop visits
The Latgale Culinary Heritage Workshop offers tastings of regional products. These include smoked meat, bread, Krāslava pickles, cheese, tea and confectionery. The selection showcases different types of regional products and adds a culinary focus to the cultural and landscape experiences.
Advance booking is required for visits to the workshops at the Krāslava Handicraft Centre. If you plan to visit a workshop, keep this requirement in mind when making arrangements.
The themes offer different perspectives: the palace, churches and museum explore architectural, artistic and regional history; the Adamova Nature Trail and viewpoints draw attention to the landscape; and tastings offer a culinary experience. This distinction can help you choose what to explore in Krāslava based on your travel interests.
Discover more destinations: Rimšāni, Piedruja, Kaplava, Pastari, Kombuļi, Miglāni, Robežnieki
For the broader travel overview: Krāslava Municipality.
